Greg Powell

8/27/08

Junior English

Holden Caulfield’s Faith

In the Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield travels from Pencey Prep to his home, New York City. Over the weekend, his faith in others and himself is put to the test. His room mate Stradlatter goes on a date with a former girlfriend of Holden’s named Jane and he asks Stradlatter to give Jane his regards. Immediately after he makes this request, he doubts whether Stradlatter will deliver the message. As one of the Phonies, Stradlatter leads an unreal life filled with falseness and unfulfilled promises. This is one such promise. Phony people such as Stradlatter surround Holden and his constant disappointment in their actions leads to a lack of faith in them and their word.

After another deceitful run in with a prostitute and her pimp in a hotel, Holden runs to the one constant thing in his life, his sister Phoebe. In the midst of rich stuck up boarding school kids and over expectant parents, Phoebe has been a beacon of originality and genuineness during Holden’s turbulent life. The one time Holden’s faith in Phoebe is shaken is when she shows up late to meet him before he leaves. This one moment of despair is rectified when Phoebe arrives; bags packed and ready to leave with Holden where ever he may go. Phoebe’s constancy and true spirit anchor Holden in a rolling sea of lies and falsities restoring his faith in the world and the human spirit. When Holden leaves on his trip he is at an impasse in his life. After failing out of yet another school, Holden’s lack of faith in himself drives him to his sister and his former teacher Mr. Antolini for advice. Here he is forced to confront an inconvenient truth, he has to start taking responsibility for himself. After taking himself seriously Holden gains a sense of independence which gives him reason to have faith in himself and his ability to live in this world.